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Ancient port mentioned by ancient author(s)
Ancient port mentioned by modern author(s) only
Potential ancient harbour, from a nautical point of view
| NB | Ancient name | Modern name |
| 3520 | Arsinoe, Cleopatris, Klysma, Clysma, Ovila, on the Heroopolite Gulf | Suez, Qulzum, el-Gismel, on the Gulf of Suez |
| 3521 | Phoinikon, Poseideion? | Ayn Musa, near the power station |
| 3521.1 | Adabiya bay | |
| 3521.2 | Bir Odeib & Bir Themada | |
| 3522 | Bat port of King Khafra, Khefren | Ayn Sukhna, at Portrait Hotel, with ship remains in galleries |
| 3522.1 | Bir Umm Reiga & Bir Aheimar | |
| 3522.2 | Bir Abu Daraj | |
| 3522.3 | Bir Abu Sundug | |
| 3522.4 | Wadi Abu Ashayir el-Rayyan | |
| 3523 | Biblical Marah? Medeia? | Abu Mereir, near Ras Matarma |
| 3523.1 | Biblical Elim? | Surandala fort, near wadi Ghurundel, Gharandel |
| 3524 | Mersa Thelemet | |
| 3524.1 | Abu Zenima | |
| 3525 | Bat, port of King Khufu, Cheops | wadi el-Jarf, the oldest breakwater found to date & with ship remains in galleries |
| 3526 | Maghara (export of turquoise, malachite & copper from wadi Ameyra, Serabit el-Khadim & wadi Maghara) | Maghara, al-Markha, near Ras Budran |
| 3527 | Rhaithou, Palm-Grove | el-Tor, el-Tur, Tor harbour |
| 3528 | Tell el-Raya, Sheikh Riyah Harbour | |
| 3529 | Merset el-Qad Yahya | |
| 3530 | Marsa Zeitiya | |
| 3531 | Saspeirene Nesos? Sapirine? | Endeavour Harbour, on Geziret Tawila island |
| 3532 | Scytala, Skytala, Sapirine? Phocarum? | Geziret Shadwan, Shaker island, ile Cheduan |
| 3533 | Abu Shar, Roman fort at the end of the Via Hadriana, at el-Gouna which is an excellent shelter | |
| 3534 | Hurghada, in front of Geziret Giftun, Gifatin island, ile Gafatina | |
| 3535 | Marsa Abu Makhadiq | |
| 3536 | Makadi Bay | |
| 3537 | Sharm el-Arab, Al Nabila | |
| 3538 | Sharm Rashid | |
| 3539 | Sharm al-Abd | |
| 3540 | Ras Abu Soma | |
| 3541 | Geziret Safaga, Safajah | |
| 3542 | Wadi Safaga | |
| 3543 | Wadi Gasus, at Coral Garden resort | |
| 3544 | Philoteras portus, Philotere, (city founded by Satyros), port of Aennus, archaic Saww | Marsa Gawasis, near wadi Jasus, 26 km South of Safaga port. Pliny speaks of Aennus. Modern authors seem to agree to locate this port at Marsa Gawasis near Safaga. |
| 3545 | Kalawy Imperial | |
| 3546 | Quei, Quway, Kuwe | |
| 3547 | Arsinoe Troglodytika | unlocalized between Philoteras and Myos Hormos, perhaps Hamrawein? |
| 3548 | Abu Sawatir Rocky Valley | |
| 3549 | Myos Hormos, Aphrodite’s port, Portus Veneris, Port of the mouse, Mussel harbour | Quseir al-Qadim, at the Mövenpick hotel, 8 km North of Quseir. Ptolemy locates Myos-Hormos at 3°25’ of latitude (380 km) North of Berenike, which leads to Hurghada. The Periplus Maris Erythraei indicates that this site is at 1800 stadia, (330 km) from Berenike, which would lead near Safaga. However, modern authors agree to locate this port 8 km North of Quseir on the West side of the road and a jetty made of amphorae was found by Peacock & Blue. Napoleon’s team identified it “Vieux Qoséïr”. Roman fort at Qasr Hadie and road to Nile valley |
| 3550 | Bir el-Uwaynah, Quseir port, at the outlet of wadi Hammamat leading to ancient Coptos on the Nile. | |
| 3551 | Sharm el Lole, Zerib Kebir | |
| 3552 | Bir Asal, Utopia Beach | |
| 3553 | Sharm el-Bahari, Mangrove Bay | |
| 3554 | Santido Resort | |
| 3555 | Marsa Wizr | |
| 3556 | Marsa Umm Gheig | |
| 3557 | Marsa Toronbi | |
| 3558 | Coraya Bay | |
| 3559 | Leukos Limen? Albus portus? Port Blanc? | Marsa Imbarak, Port Ghalib, Port Galibou, Jacotin locates Port Galibou at Marsa Mubarak and Port Blanc much further north, but Obied strongly suggests this was Leucos Limen |
| 3560 | Marsa Mubarak, Three Corners Fayrouz Plaza | |
| 3561 | Marsa Mooray | |
| 3562 | Marsa Abu Dabbab | |
| 3563 | Marsa Dabr | |
| 3563.1 | Marsa Shajra | |
| 3564 | Marsa Abu Irayki, Brayka Bay | |
| 3565 | Marsa Tarafi | |
| 3566 | Marsa Egla, Tomb of El-Sheikh Sakin el-Ijlah | |
| 3567 | Marsa Asalay | |
| 3568 | Marsa Alam | |
| 3568.1 | Wadi Abu Sabakhay | |
| 3569 | Marsa Samaday | |
| 3570 | Marsa Tundaba, Khor Umm Shahawt | |
| 3571 | Nechesia? | Marsa Nakari, 18 km South of Marsa Alam, possibly called Chaouinah by Jacotin, with road to Nile valley |
| 3572 | Ras Dirra, Ras el-Dirri | |
| 3572.1 | Wadi Ghadir | |
| 3573 | Marsa Fokairi | |
| 3574 | Shams Alam Resort | |
| 3575 | Iambe insula? Aphrodites Nesos?? | Sharm Luli, in front of Wadi el-Gamal islands, this place has been taken for Myos Hormos because of Strabo’s description, but Pliny mentions Iambe insula between Myos Hormos and Berenike. Jacotin (1809) calls it Sharm el-Koman. Belzoni (1822:328) calls the island Gambe. |
| 3576 | Wadi Umm al Abas | |
| 3577 | Cabalsi, Cabau, Gabaum | Abu Ghusun, at outlet of wadi Gamal, Gemal, Gimal |
| 3577.1 | Wadi Ranga | |
| 3578 | Kala’an Gulf | |
| 3579 | Wadi Lahami | |
| 3580 | Hellenistic port of Berenike Troglodytika, Berenice, inside the gulf of Lepte Akra, Acathartos Kolpos, Foul Bay | Medinet el-Haras, 4 km South of Bender el-Kebir inside the gulf of Ras Banas and on the Tropic of Cancer. Pliny is most accurate as he indicates that there is no shadow at noon on the day of summer solstice, which is the definition of the tropic located at 23°26’ of latitude. The present latitude of Berenike is 23°56’ and it is still a port today. With Hellenistic fort road to Nile valley |
| 3581 | Roman port of Berenike Troglodytika, Berenice, inside the gulf of Lepte Akra, Acathartos Kolpos, Foul Bay | Medinet el-Haras, 4 km South of Bender el-Kebir inside the gulf of Ras Banas and on the Tropic of Cancer. Pliny is most accurate as he indicates that there is no shadow at noon on the day of summer solstice, which is the definition of the tropic located at 23°26’ of latitude. The present latitude of Berenike is 23°56’ and it is still a port today. With probable quaywall (Trench 7) and probable quaywall (Trench 7) and possible ancient lighthouse. Roman forts at Siket and at Wadi Kalalat. |
| 3581.1 | Roman lighthouse (?) of Berenike Troglodytika, Berenice, inside the gulf of Lepte Akra, Acathartos Kolpos, Foul Bay | Medinet el-Haras, 4 km South of Bender el-Kebir inside the gulf of Ras Banas and on the Tropic of Cancer. Pliny is most accurate as he indicates that there is no shadow at noon on the day of summer solstice, which is the definition of the tropic located at 23°26’ of latitude. The present latitude of Berenike is 23°56’ and it is still a port today. With probable quaywall (Trench 7) and probable quaywall (Trench 7) and possible ancient lighthouse. Roman forts at Siket and at Wadi Kalalat. |
| 3582 | Ophiodes insula, Topazios, Agathonis, Nekron, Snake island | Isle of Zabargat, Geziret Seberget, St John’s Island, the island with topaz, off Berenike. The isle of Ophiodes is well located as it seems to be the only one producing topaz in this area. No good shelter here! |
| 3583 | Bodkin reef | |
| 3583.1 | Bir Shalatein, Shalateen, Shalatin | |
| 3584 | Sharm el-Madfa, Marsa Hasa | |
| 3585 | Marsa Shaab | |
| 3585.1 | Bir Adal Deib | |
| 3586 | Marsa el-Qad | |
| 3587 | Marsa Abu Naam | |
| 3587.1 | Bir Girid | |
| 3587.2 | Bir Abu Ramad | |
| 3587.3 | Aydhab, Aidhab | |
| 3588 | Astarta insula? | Marsa Halaib, Halayeb, in front of Geziret Hala’ib |
| 3589 | Khor el-Marob | |
| 3590 | Marsa Ribda, Marsa Gwilaib | |
| 3591 | Khor Abu Asal, Marsa Oseif | |
| 3592 | Marsa Hamsiat | |
| 3593 | Marsa Wasi | |
| 3594 | Marsa Gafatir | |
| 3595 | Marsa Abu Imama, Rio Farat | |
| 3596 | Marsa Halaka, Khor Dullow, Khor Delwein | |
| 3597 | Khor Shinab, Khor Abu Mishmish | |
| 3598 | Bathus profondus portus | Dungonab, Ptolemy locates Bathus (deep port) at 2°50’ of latitude South of Berenike, which leads to the large bay of Dungunab where a huge bay sheltered from the northern waves prevailing in this area is found |
| 3599 | Dioscuror | Marsa Inkeifal? Ptolemy locates Dioscuror at the same place as Bathus, perhaps in front of Jazirat Mukkawar island |
| 3600 | Marsa Salak | |
| 3601 | Marsa Arakiyai, Port Salvadora | |
| 3602 | Marsa Fijab, Bahia de Fuca | |
| 3603 | Marsa Gwiyai, Port Dradart | |
| 3604 | Theon Soteron Limen, Deorum Salutarium, Sotira | Port Sudan, in Marsa Sheikh Barud, Ptolemy locates Theon Soterum at 30′ of latitude North of Evangelon, which corresponds to Port Sudan |
| 3605 | Marsa Ata | |
| 3606 | Evangeliorum, Evangelon, Bonorum nunciorum | Suakin? Ptolemy locates Theon Soterum at only 35′ of latitude North of Ptolemais |
| 3607 | Marsa Esh Sheikh Ibrahim | |
| 3608 | Ptolemais Theron, Ptolemais’ hunt (for elephants), Epitherias (city founded by Eumedes), Khemtyt? Diodorus’ Panormus?? South of R Astaboras | Adobana, 8.5 km SE of Agig, Aqiq, south of R Baraka, Barka. The Periplus Maris Erythraei locates Ptolemais at 4000 stadia (740 km) south of Berenike, which corresponds to Aqiq |
| 3608.1 | Isaderheib, 3 km west of Agig, Aqiq, south of R Baraka, Barka | |
| 3608.2 | Latomiae insulae | Gazirat Amarat, Marate island |
| 3609 | Strato insula in bay of Elaea | Aqiq Kebir, Bahdur island, Badi, Ibn Abbas island, in Khor Nawarat, Nowarat, with rock-cut cisterns |
| 3610 | small headland on Gazirat Kalafiyya, in Khor Nawarat, Nowarat, visited by Peacock & Blue (2007) | |
| 3611 | Er-Rih island, Gazirat Iri, Airi, Iri, Medieval Badi island, with many Medieval rock-cut cisterns | |
| 3612 | Harmil island | |
| 3613 | Jimhil, Gim’hile on the Dahlak islands, Monfreid’s Djumele? | |
| 3614 | Alalaei, Alalaiou insulae | Dahlak Kebir village on the Dahlak islands, with many rock-cut cisterns on Dahlak Kebir |
| 3615 | Saba | Massawa? Ptolemy locates Saba at 50’ of latitude North of Adulis, which could be Massawa at only 20 nautical miles |
| 3616 | Land of Punt? Pount, Ta Netjer, Taneter, Pwenet, Pwene, Pouen, Ophir?? | probably somewhere in East Africa, possibly in the area of the Afar people, between Adulis and Djibouti, on the location of the ancient D’mt (Da’amat) kingdom and close to the Kush kingdom and its gold mines, where they could also find silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. Other possible locations for Punt are Mundus-Mosylium and Opone (Somalia) |
| 3617 | Adulis, Adoulis, Utulis, port of the Axoumites, on R Taranta | Zula, on wadi Haddas. The Periplus Maris Erythraei locates Adulis at 3000 stadia (ca. 550 km) south of Ptolemais inside a south facing bay, which corresponds to Zula. Pliny locates it at 5 navigation days from Ptolemais, which leads to more or less the same location. It may be noted that Ptolemy is widely mistaken when locating it at 40’ of latitude North of Dire, leading near Assab, 200 km further south. The site of Zula is now widely accepted by modern authors. |
| 3618 | Gabaza, port of Adulis, Diodorus insula | Island located in the bay of Zula and and now included into the continent under the name « Galala Hills » 3.5 km SE of Zula. Not to be confused with Perim island bearing the same ancient name |
| 3618.1 | Irafalo, Irafayle, Erafaile, Arafali | |
| 3619 | Melita bay near Ras Nasiracurra, on Buri peninsula | |
| 3620 | Oreine, Orine insula, Mountainous island, called Oreine chersonesos by Ptolemy (Mountainous promontory) | Dissei island, Dessei, Dese |
| 3621 | Dellemi, Dilemmi island, SW of Port Smyth | |
| 3622 | unnamed “large bay” with obsidian, Portus Melinus? | Howakil bay, Hauakil bay, near Ghelaelo, with Harena, Arena island |
| 3623 | Antiphilou Limen, Antiphilus portus | Hanfileh, Anfile bay, NW of Thio, Tio |
| 3624 | Port of Colobonalsos, Cape Kolobon | Tio at Ras Anrata? Ptolemy locates Colobon at 2° of latitude North of Adulis, which does not correspond to any cape or promontary, but Strabo locates it very close to Antiphilus portus, hence Tio might be the right location |
| 3625 | Edd, beach sheltered from south | |
| 3626 | Mersa Dudo | |
| 3627 | Berenice of Saba | Bera’isole in Bahar Assoli, Bahir Assoli Bay |
| 3628 | Ras Terma, east of Beylul | |
| 3629 | Sabae, Sabath | Assab? Near wadi Arsile, Harsile |
| 3630 | Eumenous Alsos, Port of Eumenes | Unlocated between Saba and Arsinoe, possibly near Halba Deset |
| 3631 | Arsinoe epi-Dires | Ras Dumeira at Rahayta? Ptolemy locates Arsinoe at 20’ of latitude South of Dire, which corresponds to the lagoon of Godoria on the North coast of Djibouti near 12°09’ of latitude. He nevertheless mentions it North of Dire on his list … which makes some authors think the site is at Ras Dumeira. Monfreid’s Raheita |
| 3632 | Cape Dire, Deire, Berenice epi-Dires, Orea, Tytis insula possibly in this area | Ras Siyan, on the west side of Bab el-Mandeb, the Gate of Tears. Cape Dire is located in front of Cape Acila (Cheikh Saïd in Yemen) as Strabo indicates. It is also just in front of the six islands mentioned by Strabo. Ras Siyan is a former island now connected to the mainland, but before that, it was a member of the “Seven Islands” (Sawabi islands). It provides good shelter against the eastern waves prevailing in this area. The place called Fagal is at 12°27’ of latitude and gives us a reference for locating other ports mentioned by Ptolemy. |
| 3633 | Diodorus insula, Adanos Duo, Sadanus insulae | Mayyun, on Perim island, and the second island (“Duo”) may have been the Cheikh Saïd peninsula now connected to the mainland |
| 3634 | Acila, Akila, Ocelis, Okelis, Akelis, Maddaban | Khor Ghuraira, near Ras Cheikh Saïd, near Murad, in front of Ras Siyan |
| 3635 | Pseudokelis | between Murad and Dhubab |
| 3636 | Sosippu Limen, Sosippi | Monfreid’s Doubab, Dhubab is the only natural shelter between Murad/Ocelis and Mokha/Mouza. |
| 3637 | Muza, Mouza, Masala, port of the Himyarites | Mokha, Moka, Muhawan, Makhwan |
| 3638 | Sacacia, Sakatiapolis | Az Zahari? 4 km south of Marsa Fajrah |
| 3639 | Napegous Kome | Abu Zahr? 2 km north of al-Khawkhah |
| 3640 | Malichos Duo insulae, Maliachou nesoi | Hanish islands |
| 3641 | Tongue island, near Monfreid’s Zoukour, Zuqar island | |
| 3642 | Ailou Kome? port of Zabida? | al-Midamman, near Zabid, Neolithic settlement |
| 3643 | Bolicas, Bulicas, Laupas, Poudnou Polis, Pudnu? port of Zabida? port of the Himyarites, Homerites, Omerites | al-Ghulayfiqa? |
| 3644 | Are insula? | Mujamila island |
| 3645 | Adedou Kome | al-Hodeidah, Hudaydah, near outlet of wadi Siham |
| 3646 | Chelonitis, Kardamine insula? | al-Zubayr islands |
| 3647 | Camarum insula, Sokratus insula? | Kamaran island |
| 3648 | Uqban island, Monfreid’s Okban | |
| 3649 | Katakekaumene insula, Exusta, Combusta insula, Ile Brulee, Burnt island | Saiban island, at-Tair vulcano island NW of Hodeidah, not a port but a major landmark |
| 3650 | Mamala Kome? | al-Luhayyah, Loheia, other possible locations: as-Shuqaiq, 230 km further north and Mimla, 230 km further south |
| 3651 | Akme, Ambe | Near Zamzam? Jizan? |
| 3652 | Dumsuq island, Monfreid’s Dumsuk | |
| 3653 | Qumah, Kumakh island | |
| 3654 | Ferresani portus on Devade insula, Hierakon insula? Pteros insula? | Roman naval base (?) at Khor Farasan, on Farasan Kebir island |
| 3654.1 | Tubta, port of wadi Matar, on Farasan Kebir island | |
| 3655 | Sajid, on Farasan Segid, Zekir island, Monfreid’s Seguid | |
| 3656 | Saso, Sarso island | |
| 3657 | Badeo Basileion? | Khor al-Wahlan? near al-Madaya, Monfreid’s Medy |
| 3658 | R Baitios, Fons Coralis? Sambrachate? | Wadi Baysh? Athr, Aththar, near Khor Abu as-Saba, Dana Bay east of Ras Turfa |
| 3659 | Marma, on Mamaeum Litus | Jazan Economic City? |
| 3659.1 | Thebai, Tabis? Country of the Debai | al-Qahma, in Khor al-Wasm? 13 km SE of Dhahban |
| 3659.2 | Khor al-Birk | |
| 3659.3 | Khor Nahud | |
| 3660 | Caunana, Kentos Komé? on R Canauna (known for gold mining) | al-Qunfuda, Qunfudhah, Qunfida, on wadi Kanawna, Qanauna, Qununa |
| 3661 | Circular gulf with trapezoidal shaped hill | Khor al-Humara? near Ghubbat al-Mahasin, Mohaisen, Ras Kinnateis |
| 3662 | Marsa Ibrahim, near al-Lith | |
| 3663 | Marsa Qishran, in al-Sharifa lagoon | |
| 3664 | al-Shoaiba, ancient port of Mecca, Makka, La Mecque | |
| 3665 | Abu Shauk | |
| 3666 | Zambram, Zabram Basileion, Zadrame? | Zahran at outlet of wadi Fatima, South of modern industrial port of Jeddah |
| 3667 | Goudda, Gidda, Quda’a | Jeddah, al-Balad old town |
| 3668 | Sharm Abhur, Bihar | |
| 3669 | al-Jazeerah, near Ras Hatiba | |
| 3670 | al-Qadimah | |
| 3671 | Agar? Arga Kome? | Khor al-Kharrar, near Rabigh |
| 3672 | Kopar Kome? Coboea, Coboris? | Sharm Burayqah, Buraykah, “al-Jar” |
| 3673 | Iambia Kome? Leuke Kome? | Yanbu al-Bahr |
| 3674 | Charmuthas, Charmute | Sharm Yanbu? 15 km NW of Yanbu. This hypothetical area is close to Diodorus’ description: > the total circumference is 23 km (close to his 100 stades); > the central island might be now connected to the mainland on the NE side where siltation occurred over time, near the outlet of the wadi ; > the total area might have been between 2000 and 3000 ha (ample space for his 2000 ships) ; > the entrance is 300 m wide (more than his 200 feet = 60 m) but this depends much on coral growth which may have varied in time and with urbanisation. |
| 3675 | Sharm al-Khawr | |
| 3676 | Sharm Hasy | |
| 3677 | Zygaina, Zygaena, Zygena insula | Al-Hassani island? |
| 3678 | Umm Lajj, Ummlejj, Umluj Marina | |
| 3679 | Leuke Kome? | al-Haura, Hawra, Harrat Qalib? |
| 3680 | Raunathou Kome, near Chersonnesos Prom. | near Ras Karkuma, Qurqumah |
| 3681 | Egra Kome, Aigra, Agra, Akra, port of Hegra and Dedan? | al-Qusayr, Qassir, on wadi al-Hamd |
| 3682 | Sharm Habban | |
| 3683 | Timagenes insula | Raiyikhah island west of al-Wajh? |
| 3684 | Phoinikon Kome? Port of Hegra and Dedan? Leuke Kome? Ampelone? | Sharm Wejh, al-Wajh? This location is preferred by Nappo and Nehmé. |
| 3685 | Sharm Antar | |
| 3686 | Sharm Dumaygh | |
| 3687 | Ainou, Ainos insula | Geziret an-Numan? |
| 3688 | Hippos Kome? | Dhuba, Duba, south of Jebel as-Sar, Ash-Shar, shaped like a horse |
| 3689 | Sharm Jubbah, industrial port of Duba | |
| 3690 | Sharm Yahar, al-Harr | |
| 3691 | al-Muwaylih, Muwaila, Muweilah | |
| 3692 | as-Sawra, Alsourah | |
| 3693 | Modiana? Madian? | ash-Sharma |
| 3694 | Modiana? Madian? Onne? Leuke Kome? | al-Khuraybah in Aynunah bay, a road to Petra starts there. Some scholars locate Leuke Kome at al-Wajh, 240 km further south. |
| 3695 | Salydo insula | Barqan island? |
| 3696 | Soukabya insula | Shusha island? |
| 3697 | Isis insula | Sanafir, Sinafir island? |
| 3698 | Isle of sea-calves (dugongs), called Dia insula by Strabo? erroneously called ‘Duck Country’ by Photius, Iotabe? Jotabe? mentionned by Procopius | Tiran island, at the entrance of the gulf of Aqaba? a very strategic location for controlling sea trade entering the Gulf of Aqaba and levying taxes … Another option would be at Ras Mohammed |
| 3699 | Sharm el-Sheikh | |
| 3700 | Makna | near Maqna |
| 3701 | el-Kura | |
| 3702 | Tell el-Mashraba, near Dahab | |
| 3703 | Tayyib al-Ism | |
| 3704 | Nuweiba | |
| 3705 | Ankale | near Haql |
| 3706 | Marsa al-Marakh, Fjord bay Taba, 5 km NE of the Taba resort, near wadi Tuweiba | |
| 3707 | Ezion Geber? Gasion Gabel? | Geziret Fara’un, Jazirat Firawn, Pharaoh’s island, Coral island |
| 3707.1 | Ezion Geber? Gasion Gabel? | Tell el-Kheleifeh, Tell al-Khulayfa, with square casemate fort |
| 3708 | Aila, Elaea, Aelana, Elana Kome, Eloth, Elath, Elat, Berenike, in the Laeanites Gulf | Aqaba |